This time Matt LaCosse got the 1 yard when he needed it most.
LaCosse scored from the 1 with less than three minutes remaining to lift Naperville North to a 27-24 victory in a DuPage Valley Conference game Friday at North Central College. LaCosse, who finished with 168 yards rushing and all four touchdowns, had been stopped on three consecutive plays form the 1 in the third quarter.
The Huskies (4-2, 2-2 DVC) trailed 18-14 and faced third-and-long when LaCosse found Antonio Owens for a 22-yard pass to spark the game-winning drive. Six plays later LaCosse pushed into the end zone with 2 minutes, 44 seconds left.
More Top Picks Best Baby Jumpers For Infants
“I motivated our offensive line a little bit,” said LaCosse, a Minnesota recruit. “I told them if we score here and we win the game, I’ll buy you all Happy Meals. So there’s a hole in my wallet. The vibe on our offense was we knew we were going to score.”
North’s defense stopped the Redhawks (3-3, 2-2) on the next drive at midfield to preserve the win. LaCosse added to the score with a 51-yard scamper after he appeared to be just killing time.
LaCosse also threw for 158 yards to finish with 326 total yards.
The Huskies held a 14-12 halftime lead as the teams combined for four touchdowns in the second quarter. LaCosse scored both touchdowns with runs of 5 and 2 yards, the second coming with 31.6 seconds left in the half to give North a 14-6 lead.
But Central’s Tyler Bell returned the ensuing kick 97 yards for a touchdown.
After falling behind 7-0, the Redhawks got on the scoreboard on a 12-yard run by Ian Lewandowski after he rotated in at quarterback for the final three plays of the drive.
The Huskies answered with an 87-yard scoring drive capped by LaCosse.
The Redhawks took their only lead when Lewandowski caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Hayden Daniels with 6:04 left in the game. The game’s final score came when Hayden Daniels threw a 40-yard touchdown to Derrick Avers.
Player of the game:
Matt LaCosse, Naperville North, 168 yards rushing, 158 yards passing, 4 TDs.
Key performers:
Naperville North – Antonio Owens, 5 catches, 69 yards; 4 carries, 26 yards; Naperville Central – Ian Lewandowski, 14-yard TD reception; 4 carries, 30 yards; 3-for-4, 41 yards.